The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1887-03-24
lony. Without the senior we can do

1890 >~@AA NAS
nothing"
and accompany the little brown alcalde
and his browner alguazils to the pre-
tentious stone ediiice on the plaza call
ell the palace of justice.
| had never seen a criminal trial in
a Mexican court, and everything was
new to me. The alcalde presided with
great dignity. He was assisted by
prosecuting officer, and several advO-
Gates, as they call their lawyers, were
also on hand. The courtroom was
filled with a crowd of eager spectators,
all talking, swearing and shaking their
fists at the prisoner The robber, Fran
cisco, was the most uncOncerned look
ing man in the crowd. Surrounded by
alguazils, he was not handcufed, and
when he saw me he smiled and made
ME polite bow.
The proceedings dragged all through
the weary day. Ny limited knowledge
of the language made it impossible for
me to follow everything that was said,
but understood that an effort was be-
ing made to prove an alibi. Three
men, with rather honest faces, swore
that at 6 o'clock on the previous eve
ming they had imbibed pulque with
Francisco at little village twenty
miles west of San Pablo. If they told
the truth, of course my robber could
not have been Francisco,
1t irritated me to see so much inn
| pOrtance attached to the alibi and to
my case, because | had been led to be-
lieve that the prisoner would be held
anyhow, as he was wanted for other
crimes, and big reward had been Of
| fered for him, | was told, however,
! that i'll Yucatan q prisoner, when he
demands trial, must be tried or re-
leased inside of twelve hours. In order
to hold him, therefore. the San Pablo
authorities had to make the most of
my evidence.
The alibi business worried the old
alcalde not little. The three wit
nesses who swore to meeting Francis
co on the afternoon before were reput-
able men. On the other hand, was
! stranger and an American. Several
times during the day was recalled to
the stand and examined and cross ex-
amned. The utmost courtesy charac-
terized the examination, but it had
latitude that would not have been per-
mitted in an American court. Ere
| quently a spectator would interrupt
with question or make a suggestion
! to the alcalde. Once Francisco re-
marked that he was tired and would
take it as q favor if the court would
hurry up.
Toward the close of the day l saw
man on the outskirts of the spectators
whose face and manner attracted my
attention. He was the very image Of
Francisco, the prisoner.
changed my position so as 10 get
better view, The resemblance was
wonderfully striking. The man was
just Francisco's age, height. size, and
complexion. His sombrero shaded his
right temple and prevented me from
seeing whether it bore the peculiar
scar which disfgured the robber His
costume was the same as Francisco's.
but, As nearly everybody wore home
spun of the same color and pattern,
this did not excite my surprise.
If he has the scar" | muttered,
'.he could pass anywhere for Francisco.
1t would be impossible to tell them
apart"
Naturally began to understand the
alib. The men who swore they saw
the highwayman twenty miles away
from the scene of his crime at the very
moment he was tying my hands might
honestly be mistaken. They had seen
this mysterious stranger But they
had sworn to the scar. Could 1t be-
possible that the strangers face bore
such Il mark?
determined TO edge my way to him
in the crowd and accidentally knock off
fiery crescent.
When | reached that side of the
building the man was gone. made
every effort to find him, but finally
gave it up, He had either left the
room or had shifted his position, keep
ing other persons between us so as to
screen him from my view.
As it was growing dark four tallow
candles We're lighted, but the gloomy
stone walls made the room look almost
as dark as ever.
] was wondering what would be the
outcome of the case, when the lights
were suddenly blown out.
..Keep in your placesr' shouted an
alguazil. '.Order in the palace of JUS
tice!"
The candles were relighted, and then
was beheld such scene as has rarely
ever been beheld in courtroom or
anywhere else.
In front of the alcalde's bench stood
two scar-faced men as much alike as
two brown peas.
..Merciful .saints!' calculated an
alguazil. '.Do l see double, or'are
there two Franciseos?'
1T is the work of the devil" sug-
gested pious old man, as he crossed
himself
My friend, the old alcalde, put on
his spectacles and looked sharply at
the two men.
.Franciscor' he called.
Each of the two men gave jerk of
his head and answered to the name.
LET the American senor take the
stand" ordered the aicalde.
In response to the questions put to
me | admitted that | could not point
out the real Francisco.
Three witnesses called to establish
the aiib We're recalled. They shared
my beHilderment, and could throw no
light upon the case.
The alcalde scratched his head Then
he touched one OF the doubles with his
cane.
You, now,' he said, what is your
name?"
Francisco was the reply.
your residence and occupations"
Il have none. l am travelling
abOut?"
The alcalde turned TO the other man.
What is your name?'
s.Erauciseo.
"Your residence and occupation?'
| II have none. | am travelling
about?'
The same answers. delivered i'll the
/ very voice and manner of the frat
/ double.
! Seeing the alcalde's embarrassment
+ / went to him and suggested that he
. no